Jones v. 2341464 Ontario Inc., 2018 ONSC 717
Decision Date: January 30, 2018
http://canlii.ca/t/hq4hm
In May 2013 the parties entered into an agreement of purchase and sale. The applicants were to purchase a pre-construction unit in a building on Niagara Street for $649,000. The occupancy date was to be on or before September 1, 2014. In May 2013 the occupancy date was moved to no later than February 1, 2015. Construction did not actually begin until May 2016. In February 2017 the applicants were advised of some changes to the layout of the condominium units, including the removal of balconies. The applicants decided to proceed with the purchase despite these changes. Later the same month the defendant contacted the respondents and advised them that, due to the delays and to costs they had incurred in the planning process, they would no longer honour the purchase and sale agreement. The new price (on which the applicants had “first right of refusal”) was to be $875,000.
Justice Favreau found the original agreement of purchase and sale to be valid and enforceable. He made an order of specific performance granting the applicants occupancy of their unit within 30 days, and also awarded them $20,000 in costs.
Comment: Justice Favreau said that it was “evident” that the respondents were reluctant to complete the sale so they could benefit from an increase in the value of real estate since the agreement was made.
Toronto Condominium Corp. 1462 v. Dangubic, 2018 ONSC 491
Decision Date: January 19, 2018
http://canlii.ca/t/hpvh1
Mr. Dangubic owns a unit in TSCC No. 1462. Justice Morgan describes him as “not a good neighbor,” as he has violated other residents’ rights of quiet enjoyment, has gotten into verbal conflicts with others, and has left obscene and aggressive voice messages. TSCC charges that he owes over $14,000 in common expenses; these consist mainly of the legal cost of compliance letters and of a lien, and costs of attempted collection of arrears. The main legal issue at stake is whether the lien registered by TSCC 1462 is valid.
Justice Morgan ruled that the lien was indeed valid, as Mr. Dangubic was aware of the claim against him, knew the circumstances of why and how fees were incurred, and the fees are reasonable for the legal work done. He granted TSCC 1462’s request for summary judgment and also granted them costs on a substantial indemnity basis of over $16,000.
Comment: Disruptive owners should understand that the legal cost of getting them to comply with the corporation’s rules will not be borne by the owners at large.
About the image: Building under construction in Rosario, Argentina, which like Toronto is experiencing a construction boom. CC BY-SA 2.5, Link